THE ARTICLE

Madonna enters Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame

Singing superstar and pop icon Madonna entered the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12th. The 49-year-old is now officially a rock legend. To enter the Hall of Fame, a singer or band must wait until 25 years after their first hit. Madonna received her honour at New York’s grand Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She was part of a star-studded cast who were getting awards. The singer Justin Timberlake presented Madonna with her prize and made a very saucy speech. He joked about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, saying: "The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna." Timberlake, who produced Madonna’s last album, told the audience: “People always ask if she is the control freak people say she is.” His answer was, “Hell, yeah.” He also complimented Madonna for “looking…damn fine".

Madonna was extremely honoured to accept her award. She thanked all of the people who told her she would never be successful. “The ones that said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they made me question myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better,” she said to great applause. The songstress talked about her varied and super-successful career and said music was her love: "I have gone on to do so many things in my life, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film. But for me, it always does, and it always will, come back to the music, so thank you." She also thanked the angels who she said looked down on her and protected her. Madonna, the queen of pop, and now rock and roll, has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

WARM-UPS

1. NEVER GIVING UP: Walk around the class and talk to other students about never giving up. Change partners often. After you finish, sit with your original partner(s) and share what you found out.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. VARIED CAREER: Talk to your partner(s) about the varied career you’ve had. The jobs you have done are in the table. Write down the highs and lows of each job. Change partners and share your findings.

JOB

HIGHS

LOWS

waiter / waitress

rock ‘n’ roll star

actor

clothes designer

children’s author

movie director

4. THANK YOU: In this table, write down the names of people in your life you’d really like to thank. Write down why. Share what you wrote down you're your partner(s). Change partners and share your findings.

PERSON

REASON(S) FOR THANKING THEM

5. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with rock and roll. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. QUICK DEBATE: Students A strongly believe that Madonna is the greatest female singer ever; Students B strongly believe someone else is the greatest female singer ever. Change partners again and talk about your roles and conversations.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.

A wax model of Madonna has been put in a famous music museum.

T / F

b.

Madonna’s first hit song was twenty years ago.

T / F

c.

A singer said the world was full of Madonna wannabes.

T / F

d.

The singer said Madonna was a control freak.

T / F

e.

Madonna thanked people who told her she’d never be successful.

T / F

f.

People who doubted Madonna’s talents inspired her to be better.

T / F

g.

Madonna said she preferred designing clothes to singing.

T / F

h.

Madonna has sold over two billion albums worldwide.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

1.

icon

a.

cheeky

2

cast

b.

praised

3.

saucy

c.

plump

4.

wannabes

d.

clapping

5.

complimented

e.

idol

6.

chubby

f.

globally

7.

inspired

g.

diverse

8.

applause

h.

pretenders

9.

varied

i.

energized

10.

worldwide

j.

performers

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

1.

Singing superstar and

a.

to accept her award

2

part of a star-studded

b.

wannabes

3.

The world is full of Madonna

c.

super-successful career

4.

People always ask if she is the control

d.

pop icon

5.

He also complimented Madonna for

e.

myself repeatedly

6.

Madonna was extremely honoured

f.

wonder

7.

I was a one-hit

g.

cast

8.

they made me question

h.

freak people say she is

9.

her varied and

i.

“looking…damn fine”

10.

the angels who she said

j.

looked down on her

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Singing superstar and pop icon Madonna __________ the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12th. The 49-year-old is now __________ a rock legend. To enter the Hall of Fame, a singer or band must wait until 25 years after their first hit. Madonna __________ her honour at New York’s grand Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She was part of a star-studded cast who were getting awards. The singer Justin Timberlake presented Madonna with her prize and made a very saucy speech. He __________ about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, saying: "The world is full of Madonna __________. I might have even __________ a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna." Timberlake, who produced Madonna’s last album, told the audience: “People always ask if she is the __________ freak people say she is.” His answer was, “Hell, yeah.” He also complimented Madonna for “looking…__________ fine".

controlofficiallywannabesjokeddamnentereddatedreceived

Madonna was extremely honoured to __________ her award. She thanked all of the people who told her she would never be successful. “The ones that said I was talentless, that I was __________, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they made me question __________ repeatedly and pushed me to be better,” she said to great __________. The songstress talked about her varied and super-successful career and said music was her __________: "I have gone on to do so many things in my __________, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film. But for me, it always does, and it always will, come back to the music, so thank you." She also thanked the __________ who she said looked down on her and protected her. Madonna, the __________ of pop, and now rock and roll, has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

myself
angelschubbylovequeenapplauseacceptlife

LISTENING: Listen and fill in the spaces.

Singing ___________________ Madonna entered the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12th. The 49-year-old ___________________ legend. To enter the Hall of Fame, a singer or band must wait until 25 years after their first hit. Madonna ___________________ New York’s grand Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She was part ___________________ who were getting awards. The singer Justin Timberlake presented Madonna with her prize and made ___________________. He joked about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, saying: "The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I ___________________ a couple. But ___________________ Madonna." Timberlake, who produced Madonna’s last album, told the audience: “People always ask if she is the control freak people say she is.” His answer was, “Hell, yeah.” He also complimented Madonna for “___________________ ".

Madonna was extremely ___________________ award. She thanked all of the people who told her she would never be successful. “The ones that said I was talentless, ___________________, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they ___________________ myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better,” she ___________________. The songstress talked about her varied and super-successful career and said music was her love: "I have ___________________ things in my life, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film. But for me, it always does, and it always will, ___________________ music, so thank you." She also thanked the angels who she said ___________________ and protected her. Madonna, the queen of pop, and now rock and roll, has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.

Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall exactly how these were used in the text:

entered

wait

grand

saucy

truly

damn

thanked

wonder

inspired

love

angels

queen

STUDENT MADONNA SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Madonna in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

Q.2.

Q.3.

Q.4.

Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear ‘Madonna’?

c)

What are your memories of Madonna over the years?

d)

Do you think 49 is too old to be a rock ‘n’ roll star?

e)

Why do you think there are so many Madonna wannabes?

f)

Are you a control freak?

g)

What do you think of the idea of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

h)

Which musical artists do you think are the greatest ever?

i)

Have you ever received an honour?

--------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article?

b)

Do you like rock and roll?

c)

Is Madonna really a rock and roll star or just a pop star?

d)

Would you thank people who said you had no talent?

e)

What kinds of people inspire you?

f)

What examples are there in your life when you pushed yourself to be better?

g)

Would you like a career with just one job, or would you like a varied career?

h)

What questions would you like to ask Madonna?

i)

Did you like this discussion?

LANGUAGE

CORRECT WORD: Put the correct words from ad below in the article.

Singing superstar and (1) ____ icon Madonna entered the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12th. The 49-year-old is now (2) ____ a rock legend. To enter the Hall of Fame, a singer or band must wait until 25 years after their first hit. Madonna received her honour at New York’s grand Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She was part of a star-(3) ____ cast who were getting awards. The singer Justin Timberlake presented Madonna with her prize and made a very (4) ____ speech. He joked about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, saying: "The world is full of Madonna (5) ____. I might have even dated a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna." Timberlake, who produced Madonna’s last album, told the audience: “People always ask if she is the control (6) ____ people say she is.” His answer was, “Hell, yeah.” He also complimented Madonna for “looking…damn fine".

Madonna was extremely honoured to (7) ____ her award. She thanked all of the people who told her she would never be successful. “The ones that said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they made me question myself (8) ____ and pushed me to be better,” she said (9) ____ great applause. The songstress talked about her varied and super-successful career and said music was her love: "I have gone (10) ____ to do so many things in my life, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film. But for me, it always (11) ____, and it always will, come back to the music, so thank you." She also thanked the angels who she said looked down on her and protected her. Madonna, the queen of pop, and now rock and roll, has sold over 200 million albums (12) ____.

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out Madonna and her varied career. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ROCKERS: Make a poster about two rock stars. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. PUSHING: Write a magazine article about a man or woman who pushed himself / herself to be better and became famous, even when others were saying he / she would never succeed. Include imaginary interviews the famous man / woman and someone who said he/she would never make it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down new words and expressions.

5. LETTER: Write a letter to Madonna. Ask her three questions about her career and life. Ask her for three pieces of advice about becoming successful. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F

b. F

c. T

d. T

e. T

f. T

g. F

h. F

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.

icon

a.

idol

2

cast

b.

performers

3.

saucy

c.

cheeky

4.

wannabes

d.

pretenders

5.

complimented

e.

praised

6.

chubby

f.

plump

7.

inspired

g.

energized

8.

applause

h.

clapping

9.

varied

i.

diverse

10.

worldwide

j.

globally

PHRASE MATCH:

1.

Singing superstar and

a.

pop icon

2

part of a star-studded

b.

cast

3.

The world is full of Madonna

c.

wannabes

4.

People always ask if she is the control

d.

freak people say she is

5.

He also complimented Madonna for

e.

“looking…damn fine”

6.

Madonna was extremely honoured

f.

to accept her award

7.

I was a one-hit

g.

wonder

8.

they made me question

h.

myself repeatedly

9.

her varied and

i.

super-successful career

10.

the angels who she said

j.

looked down on her

GAP FILL:

Madonna enters Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame

Singing superstar and pop icon Madonna entered the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12th. The 49-year-old is now officially a rock legend. To enter the Hall of Fame, a singer or band must wait until 25 years after their first hit. Madonna received her honour at New York’s grand Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She was part of a star-studded cast who were getting awards. The singer Justin Timberlake presented Madonna with her prize and made a very saucy speech. He joked about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, saying: "The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna." Timberlake, who produced Madonna’s last album, told the audience: “People always ask if she is the control freak people say she is.” His answer was, “Hell, yeah.” He also complimented Madonna for “looking…damn fine".

Madonna was extremely honoured to accept her award. She thanked all of the people who told her she would never be successful. “The ones that said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they made me question myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better,” she said to great applause. The songstress talked about her varied and super-successful career and said music was her love: "I have gone on to do so many things in my life, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film. But for me, it always does, and it always will, come back to the music, so thank you." She also thanked the angels who she said looked down on her and protected her. Madonna, the queen of pop, and now rock and roll, has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.